Instant Pot Penne Alla Vodka

Instant Pot Penne alla Vodka is a quick, hearty, and delicious Italian-American pasta dish prepared using the Instant Pot. This 30-minute, one-pot meal features perfectly cooked penne pasta smothered in a vodka-infused creamy tomato sauce spiced with red pepper flakes and finished with fresh basil.

Jump to:

• What is Penne alla Vodka?
• Why We Love This 30-Minute Meal
• Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions
• How to Make Penna alla Vodka
• Alternative Method: Stovetop Penne alla Vodka
• Serving Suggestions
• How to Store and Freeze
• Variations to Try
• Recipe Tips & Notes
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Reader's Favorite Instant Pot Pasta Recipes
• 📖 Recipe

Pasta night is a weekly affair in my house. I love it for its ease and convenience. And in all honesty, who can deny a steaming hot bowl of pasta - right?

This Penne alla Vodka in Instant Pot is a classic hearty and creamy pasta dinner with a pop of heat from red pepper flakes and a bright finish from fresh basil.

My recipe holds true to tradition but takes a modern and convenient approach with the Instant Pot. But don't worry. And for the true pasta connoisseurs, there's a stovetop recipe included below as well. 🙂 Let's get started!

What is Penne alla Vodka?

Penna alla vodka is a classic Italian pasta dish made with tomato sauce, cream, vodka, and hot peppers. Some say the original recipe was even made with pepper-flavored vodka.

The main purpose of vodka in the tomato sauce is to add a touch of heat and a sharp bite to balance the sweet tomatoes and cream.

Fun Fact: Penne alla Vodka became popular in Italy and the U.S. in the 1980s when it was first offered at the 'discos'.

Why We Love This 30-Minute Meal

I absolutely love my Instant Pot for any pasta recipe. Quick, easy, no-babysitting required. Here are more reasons to love this recipe:

• There is no waiting for water to boil or standing by a hot stove since everything gets cooked in the same pot.
• You're in and out of the kitchen in 30 minutes flat.
• It's a weeknight and kid-friendly dinner (the alcohol cooks out during the cooking process or you can skip it altogether)
• Easy pantry and fridge ingredients - Pasta, tomatoes, vodka, cream.
• It's completely Vegetarian, with the easy option to add any protein of choice.

Ingredients - Notes & Substitutions

The star ingredients in this classic Italian meal are vodka, penne, marinara sauce, and heavy cream! Few additional aromatics, parmesan cheese, and fresh basil and you have a delicious Italian entree at home.

• Vodka: Use whatever brand of vodka you have in your liquor cabinet. In other words, use a brand you like drinking. I love Absolut, but Ketel One, Three Olives, Tito's, or Grey Goose are all great options.
• Pasta: Penne is classic and traditional. But any short-grain pasta is ideal - rigatoni, ziti, campanelle, farfalle, fusilli or macaroni. If you prefer long-grain, such as spaghetti or linguine, break the pasta in half so that it fits in the inner steel pot of your Instant Pot. For pasta cooking times, see the Instant Pot Pasta Cooking Tip below.
• Marinara Sauce: Jarred pasta sauce is a wonderful shortcut when you are short on time. My preferred store-bought brand is Trader Joe's. But by all means, use a homemade spaghetti sauce if you have the time to make it.
• Heavy Cream: The one ingredient that transforms the pasta sauce into creamy, silky perfection. You can, of course, make the penne vodka without heavy cream, just make sure to sprinkle on some extra cheese!
• Parmesan cheese: Store-ready grated parmesan cheese works like a charm on weeknights. If you have time on hand, grate your own using your favorite brand of parmesan, pecorino romano, or asiago.

Can I Make this without Vodka? Absolutely! But it won't be called Penne alla Vodka then! Simply skip the vodka and follow the recipe to enjoy Penne in Creamy Tomato Sauce!

Scroll to the recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients and quantities.

How to Make Penna alla Vodka

If you've never cooked pasta in the Instant Pot before, now is the time to start! You will be amazed at the convenience of this instant pot penne alla vodka with jar sauce!

But if you don't have one, no worries! I have included an authentic stovetop penne vodka recipe below as well.

Step 1. Saute Aromatics, Add Vodka, Pasta & Sauce

Turn on Saute mode. When the pot is hot, in about 30 seconds, add olive oil, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Saute for 2 minutes, until the onions begin to soften (Pic 1).

Add red pepper flakes and dried basil. Saute for 30 seconds (Pic 2).

Stand back and add vodka and saute for 2-3 minutes, until it reduces (Pic 3).

Cancel Saute. Add water and deglaze the pot. Add tomato paste and stir. Pour in the pasta and marinara sauce to cover it, but do not stir. This prevents the 'burn' message (Pic 4).

Step 2. Pressure Cook, Finish with Heavy Cream & Garnish

Close the lid and set 'Pressure Cook' or 'Manual' at 5 minutes on high pressure, at sealing mode (Pic 5).

When the cooking time is up, hit Cancel and carefully release pressure by following the quick-release instructions of your pot. Open the lid when the pin drops. Stir everything. Add the heavy whipping cream. Stir well (Pic 6).

Finally, add the parmesan cheese and stir until combined. Check for seasoning and adjust salt, if needed (Pic 7).

Garnish with basil and serve with additional grated parmesan cheese (Pic 8). Enjoy!

Instant Pot Pasta Cooking Tip: The pressure cooking time will vary based on the shape and brand of pasta. I have an easy formula you can follow: Simply halve the lower number in the suggested cook time on the box. For a handy cooking time chart for all pasta shapes, check out this post: Instant Pot Pasta.

Alternative Method: Stovetop Penne alla Vodka

• Heat a Dutch oven on medium-high heat.
• Add olive oil, chopped onion, and minced garlic. Saute for 2 minutes, until the onions begin to soften. Add red pepper flakes and dried basil. Saute for 30 seconds. Simultaneously, cook pasta in a large pot of salted, boiling water following the package instructions.
• Move the Dutch oven away from the heat and add the vodka. Saute till it reduces and stir in the tomato paste and pasta sauce.
• Add the cooked and drained pasta and stir. Add the heavy whipping cream. Stir well.
• Finally, add the parmesan cheese and stir until combined. Check for seasoning and adjust salt, if needed. Garnish with basil and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

While this pasta meal is complete by itself, here are some accompaniments that elevate the meal and make it more wholesome:

Cheese: When it comes to pasta, freshly grated parmesan cheese always elevates the meal. I grate an extra handful or two of parmesan cheese and my family and I pass this along on the table as we chit-chat.

Bread: Warm and crusty Garlic Bread makes a great side dish.

Salad: I pair this creamy pasta with vibrant salads like Arugula and berries Salad, or Strawberry Spinach Salad.

Roasted Veggies: Add some color and nutrients by including steamed broccoli, roasted carrots, or even roasted green beans with this meal.

How to Store and Freeze

Penne alla vodka can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To reheat, place in individual microwave-safe bowls tented with a paper towel or microwave lid (this prevents the sauce from splattering all over your microwave) and heat in the microwave in 30-second increments.

Note: Since the pasta will absorb some of the sauce over time, stir in some water or milk to prevent the pasta from drying out when reheating.

Can I Freeze Penne Vodka? Yes! The penne pasta recipe can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as per the directions above.

Variations to Try

Here are some of my family's tried and enjoyed variations of this pasta dish:

• Chicken: Add raw chicken pieces, cut into ½-inch pieces, during the saute process, and cook along with pasta for a delicious Instant Pot Penne alla Vodka with Chicken.
• Sauteed shrimp: Season shrimp with salt and pepper and place in a skillet over medium heat until pink and opaque, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add to the cooked pasta while serving.
• Sausage: Add sliced, grilled, or poached Italian sausage (sweet or spicy) along with pasta and sauce during cooking.
• Panchetta: For crispy-meaty goodness, sprinkle diced, crispy pancetta on the paste just before serving.
• Green Peas: To add some veggies to this dish, stir in thawed, frozen green peas at the very end and allow them to sit in the cooked pasta for 5 minutes to warm through.

Recipe Tips & Notes

• Use your preferred brand of vodka. The best vodka for penne vodka is what is already in your liquor cabinet! I love Absolut, but Ketel One, Three Olives, Tito's, or Grey Goose are all great options.
• Pasta shape alternatives are endless. Use any short-grain pasta such as rigatoni, ziti, campanelle, farfalle, fusilli, rotini or macaroni. If you go the long-grain pasta route, such as spaghetti or linguine, break the pasta in half so that it fits into the steel bowl of the Instant Pot.
• Adjust the pasta cooking time. To adjust the cook time for different shapes or brands of pasta, simply divide the lower suggested cook time on the box by half.
• Adjust red pepper flakes to taste. An authentic vodka sauce recipe always includes red pepper flakes or hot pepper paste. This recipe is a medium spice level. Simply omit for mild or double for spicy.
• Precaution - Stand back while adding vodka. When alcohol hits a hot pot, it produces an overwhelming 'whiff' that can overpower the senses, so standing back is recommended while adding. If using the stovetop recipe, for safety, move the pan away from the heat and add the vodka. Never pour vodka straight from the bottle. Always pour in a separate cup, then pour.
• Prevent the Burn message. Once you add the pasta and marinara sauce to the Instant Pot, do not stir. Close the lid and proceed to pressure cooking.
• Up the protein with grilled chicken, shrimp, sausage, pancetta, or peas. Add any protein source to suit your needs.
• Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Place in individual microwave-safe bowls with 1-2 Tablespoons water, tent with a paper towel and heat in the microwave in 30-second increments until warmed through.
• Freeze for up to 3 months. Store in an airtight container, label and date. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat as instructed above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reader's Favorite Instant Pot Pasta Recipes

These recipes are part of the Instant Pot Pasta Recipes Collection:

📖 Recipe